The Indian Army in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India has launched the ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ programme on 8th August to develop path-breaking drone capabilities for meeting the requirements of frontline troops, according to a defence ministry statement issued today.

The Indian Army’s support to the indigenous drone ecosystem is based on the principle that ‘good available indigenously’ is better than the ‘best available globally,’’ the statement explained. 

However, gradual enhancement in technology demanded by defence forces is likely to incentivise manufacture of better and more capable drone products.

As a start point, development in the following categories are included:-

*Logistics/ Load carrying Drone in High Altitude Areas.

*Autonomous Surveillance/ Search & Rescue Drone.

* Micro/ Nano Drones for Fighting in Built Up Areas.

The ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ programme is pan India sustained connect between all stake holders including industry, academia, software developers and drone product manufacturers. It will be conducted in stages with quantifiable parameters (like altitude, weight, range, endurance etc) being progressively enhanced based on demonstrated capabilities.

Broad activities planned include interactions and ideation between users, development agencies, academia etc, seeking of industry responses, visits by development agencies to operational locations to understand the ground perspective and requirements, handholding of development agencies for internal development and on-ground trials and actual conduct  and evaluation of drone products.

The Army Design Bureau on behalf of the Indian Army has also signed a MoU with the Drone Federation of India to collaboratively work towards promoting research, development, testing and manufacturing of drones, counter-drone and associated technologies that can assist the Indian Army in its operations. The MoU also signifies the unwavering commitment of the Indian Army in supporting our industry and the complete eco system to develop indigenous equipment and weapon systems in line with Atmanirbharta in defence manufacturing, an official statement said.